[Anduin hesitates for a long moment, forcing himself to take a sip of tea so it does not go entirely cold in his hands -- and also to fortify himself before he continues.]
Were you in Taravast, during the siege of the citadel? The undead lords...
[The Huntress, with all her creatures, would've loved to have one she imagines. The creatures that captured Lily, turned her into some sort of - something. She knows these things; it doesn't take much to put two and two together.]
I won't share this information with anyone else. [Quiet, solemn.] Nobody will know from me, not unless he chooses to reveal himself to them and - for what it's worth...[A small, tentative smile.] You have a friend and help in me, Anduin, so you needn't protect him on your own.
[Anduin's lips curl up in his own soft smile in return.]
Thank you, Hermione. I do appreciate that.
[He glances down to the tea in his hands. It is good to have a friend in Hermione. Someone outside of Wrathion, who he can come to, to talk to. To trust with his secrets. He... May not have opened to her with all of them. But there are some, which he knows she will take kindly to. In fact...]
He -- told me that you broke the news to him. Of your engagement.
[Ah yes, the farce that they both have in common, funny about that. She blushes a little bit, inevitably, because she remembers again how mortifying telling Wrathion had been to begin with. Nevermind the later revelation of his true nature as a dragon (again: !!!!), that had been a more humbling experience for some reason.
Of all things to happen in this world to her, she never expected to care about the opinion of a man in this way.
Definitely didn't expect she'd find herself not being the only one.]
Ah - god. I did. [She buries her face in her hands, muffling a laugh there, pretty tired.] I didn't want him to find out through other means, you know? Plus I owed him an apology, for having used his...erm... [Imposing physique? No. Not that.] Reputation. To my advantage.
[Anduin can't help but smile wider at this reaction.]
I, ah. May have admitted to him that you were not the only one to have done so.
[He ducks his head, dropping his eyes to the mug of tea in his hands once more as he feels, embarrassingly, a flush of color spread across his cheeks.]
As you said. It would be ill luck for him to find out through other means. And since I had identified him by name...
[Anduin swallows, attempting to gather his courage as he continues,] I may have... Admitted more than that as well.
[That smile is unacceptable! Don't just go around finding joy in her discomfort!
Except that she goes from indignation to surprised amusement as soon as Anduin admits that he also told Wrathion, because:]
And he hasn't even brought that up? I thought for sure he'd tease about it.
[Not entirely true, he did make some remark about Hermione being in his room after midnight being very forward.
Then the Facts definitely sink in, and she leans forward. Gone is the girl haunted by her ancestral curses, the one who's lost sleep over nightmares of her incompetence and scratches and plans. In her place, Hermione Granger, who has been a confident to only too many Chosen Ones with zero skills at asking people out. A young woman who gets to be just that, for a little while.]
And? What did you say? Did you tell him about your feelings?
[Anduin can feel his face flushing hot with embarrassment, although he is happy to tell her about this. He's happy to have someone to talk to about this, someone who... Is happy for him. For them.
He keeps his eyes lowered, focused on the tea in his hands, a soft, self-conscious smile spreading itself across his face as he considers his reply.]
If I had a coin for every time I have told Wrathion I care for him, I could probably fill the treasury of Stormwind twice over. I cannot tell you precisely what made the difference this time, but... [He flicks his eyes up to meet hers, his blush deepening.]
[See, if the table were the type where you can just sit, she'd be kicking him gently under the table as a form of chastisement, but as it is, she purses her lips and squints at him.
Uncertain this was an answer at all.] No, I meant, does he feel the same way or...what?
[She tries to bite down the pleased grin at that flash of shyness from Anduin, but it doesn't work; it splits her face.]
Oh, good. Good, after everything our group's gone through, some light-hearted romance is a lovely break from all the... [She gestures vaguely to her scratches and general cursed-ness.]
So, are you two going to be...together? [That's how it goes, right? First you confess feelings, then you date. Or first you kiss in the middle of a big battle, then you disappear from your timeline completely before you can resolve that in any significant way.
Speaking of romance:] It's a bit funny now, with both our subterfuges, we've unintentionally turned Wrathion into a betrothed hoarder.
[She pulls a face at that, and makes a note to remember this. Bring it up and possibly rub it in Wrathion's face in a most sarcastic manner at a later date. Just because he's apparently a dragon gives him no reason to be an arrogant prick about the whole fake betrothals.
Her excuse was, at least, motivated by an urgent panic and need to exit a wedding room without getting killed. There's absolutely nothing genuine about the false engagement there. (Okay so she has oggled his shoulders, and chest, and the hair, and all that. Physically, he is very...very. But she's at least alive!)
As much as she might erroneously think she'd do rather well in a duel against anyone, she's not going to challenge Anduin to one for Wrathion's hand. He has two.
Her expression softens first, and then grows curious.]
Because he is... is it the dragon part, or that he is also a man? [In her world, there are those who would not be happy to see a relationship blossom between a man and another man.]
[Anduin's eyebrows pinch together slightly as he tries to figure out how best to answer this question.]
Because... He is Wrathion.
[He flicks his eyes up to meet hers.]
The black dragonflight, Wrathion's family, it... Does not have the best history. Nor does Wrathion himself, for that matter. I have forgiven him of his past misdeeds. But -- not everyone has done.
[She has no real understanding of this history that Anduin is so haunted by, but she knows a few things about evil men finding regret, trying to redeem themselves somehow. Even if for all the wrong reasons.
She knows a few things, but she's no expert.]
Well, the fact of the matter is...you two are the only ones whose opinion on these matters will, well, matter. If you care for each other...
[She sets the cup down, and reaches over impulsively, to grab onto Anduin's hands, hoping to give him the same level of comfort he showed her in the village.] I know that we've only known each other for a few months, Anduin, and it's probably not as significant or symbolic as the trust of someone who's known you your whole life, but I genuinely wish for your happiness. [A sheepish smile.] Someone should be catching some happiness in this place, it might as well be you.
[Anduin appreciates her reassurances more than words can say. It really is very sweet of her to say so. She has been very kind to him -- to both of them. He wants...
He wants to be honest with her.
Anduin turns his hand within hers, moving to grip her fingers back and takes in a deep breath.]
Hermione... Can you -- can you keep a secret? [His lips twitch slightly.] Another one, I suppose. Mine?
[Anduin blinks at that, coming up short, before letting out an abrupt burst of laughter.]
What? No, no, I'm... Not a dragon, no.
[He sobers a little, squeezing her fingers where he still has her hand in his grasp. He takes in a deep breath. It feels strange to admit this out loud -- or to call it a secret for that matter. It really isn't, not at home anyway. Here in this world though he's tried not to share it around, uncertain how it might go over. But he trusts Hermione, and moreover -- it would just be nice to be able to talk to her, to have someone he knows he can trust with all things. All things. And so...]
Where I live... It is called Stormwind City. It is the capital city of the kingdom of Stormwind, and the largest capital city in the Grand Alliance -- that is, one of the two major political factions of Azeroth, the world where I come from. And I...
[Anduin's eyes flick up to meet Hermione's.]
I have the 'honor' to be named High King of Stormwind and the Alliance both.
[There you go, some levity. It's nice to know she can make someone laugh in this place, and a surprisingly nice laughter to boot.
Still, he goes somber and she holds her breath on instinct. Here it goes, the big secret. (She's rather good at keeping those, isn't she?)
And the secret is:
Anduin's a king.]
What.
[A king. Sure. One's a dragon and one's a king and why not believe them both? In the end, they each can confirm each other's truths, and it doesn't impact her at all if it were a lie. She could say she's the queen of Slytherin right now and nobody here would understand what that meant. (She won't though. It's not in her nature to lie that hard.)
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Were you in Taravast, during the siege of the citadel? The undead lords...
[Anduin was not himself, but. Technicalities.]
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[She shakes her head, and looks back at him a little more kindly.] Anyway. The undead lords what?
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For now... He takes another breath, doing his best to tread lightly as explains:]
There are those among them who would take an interest, in a dragon.
[He pauses a beat.]
Who have.
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I won't share this information with anyone else. [Quiet, solemn.] Nobody will know from me, not unless he chooses to reveal himself to them and - for what it's worth...[A small, tentative smile.] You have a friend and help in me, Anduin, so you needn't protect him on your own.
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Thank you, Hermione. I do appreciate that.
[He glances down to the tea in his hands. It is good to have a friend in Hermione. Someone outside of Wrathion, who he can come to, to talk to. To trust with his secrets. He... May not have opened to her with all of them. But there are some, which he knows she will take kindly to. In fact...]
He -- told me that you broke the news to him. Of your engagement.
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Of all things to happen in this world to her, she never expected to care about the opinion of a man in this way.
Definitely didn't expect she'd find herself not being the only one.]
Ah - god. I did. [She buries her face in her hands, muffling a laugh there, pretty tired.] I didn't want him to find out through other means, you know? Plus I owed him an apology, for having used his...erm... [Imposing physique? No. Not that.] Reputation. To my advantage.
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I, ah. May have admitted to him that you were not the only one to have done so.
[He ducks his head, dropping his eyes to the mug of tea in his hands once more as he feels, embarrassingly, a flush of color spread across his cheeks.]
As you said. It would be ill luck for him to find out through other means. And since I had identified him by name...
[Anduin swallows, attempting to gather his courage as he continues,] I may have... Admitted more than that as well.
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Except that she goes from indignation to surprised amusement as soon as Anduin admits that he also told Wrathion, because:]
And he hasn't even brought that up? I thought for sure he'd tease about it.
[Not entirely true, he did make some remark about Hermione being in his room after midnight being very forward.
Then the Facts definitely sink in, and she leans forward. Gone is the girl haunted by her ancestral curses, the one who's lost sleep over nightmares of her incompetence and scratches and plans. In her place, Hermione Granger, who has been a confident to only too many Chosen Ones with zero skills at asking people out. A young woman who gets to be just that, for a little while.]
And? What did you say? Did you tell him about your feelings?
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He keeps his eyes lowered, focused on the tea in his hands, a soft, self-conscious smile spreading itself across his face as he considers his reply.]
If I had a coin for every time I have told Wrathion I care for him, I could probably fill the treasury of Stormwind twice over. I cannot tell you precisely what made the difference this time, but... [He flicks his eyes up to meet hers, his blush deepening.]
It did.
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No matter where she is, apparently, there will always be boys who have no idea how to handle their own crushes and emotions.]
And it went well?
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princeking, this romance stuff is still sort of new to him. They never let him out much...This is equal parts embarrassing and thrilling to talk about, but it is nice to have someone to talk about it with.]
It -- did, yes. That is, I think it did. He...
[Light, he really does want to share this. He also wants to hide under the table.]
It doesn't feel like he's going to bolt the next time I come close to him, which. Is an improvement, all things considered.
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Uncertain this was an answer at all.] No, I meant, does he feel the same way or...what?
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[If it is possible to look more embarrassed, he is.]
Ah, well. Yes. As a matter of fact, he... He does.
[A slow smile spreads itself across Anduin's face and he chances a glance up to Hermione before ducking his head once more.]
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Oh, good. Good, after everything our group's gone through, some light-hearted romance is a lovely break from all the... [She gestures vaguely to her scratches and general cursed-ness.]
So, are you two going to be...together? [That's how it goes, right? First you confess feelings, then you date. Or first you kiss in the middle of a big battle, then you disappear from your timeline completely before you can resolve that in any significant way.
Speaking of romance:] It's a bit funny now, with both our subterfuges, we've unintentionally turned Wrathion into a betrothed hoarder.
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Speaking of...]
He suggested to me that we might duel for his hand.
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Of course he did - what a ridiculous idea. [She flashes him a little smile here.]
Don't worry - I'm not interested in challenging you to wands at dawn. He's so melodramatic.
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I believe his exact suggestion was to the death, so. You will imagine my relief to hear as much.
[He takes another careful, restorative sip of tea before glancing back up at her once more, his smile softening as he does.]
Thank you, Hermione. For... For being so supportive, of me. Of us. I...
[He glances down to the mug in his hands.] There are those back home who will not be as happy for me. Because -- it is him.
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Her excuse was, at least, motivated by an urgent panic and need to exit a wedding room without getting killed. There's absolutely nothing genuine about the false engagement there. (Okay so she has oggled his shoulders, and chest, and the hair, and all that. Physically, he is very...very. But she's at least alive!)
As much as she might erroneously think she'd do rather well in a duel against anyone, she's not going to challenge Anduin to one for Wrathion's hand.
He has two.Her expression softens first, and then grows curious.]
Because he is... is it the dragon part, or that he is also a man? [In her world, there are those who would not be happy to see a relationship blossom between a man and another man.]
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Because... He is Wrathion.
[He flicks his eyes up to meet hers.]
The black dragonflight, Wrathion's family, it... Does not have the best history. Nor does Wrathion himself, for that matter. I have forgiven him of his past misdeeds. But -- not everyone has done.
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She knows a few things, but she's no expert.]
Well, the fact of the matter is...you two are the only ones whose opinion on these matters will, well, matter. If you care for each other...
[She sets the cup down, and reaches over impulsively, to grab onto Anduin's hands, hoping to give him the same level of comfort he showed her in the village.] I know that we've only known each other for a few months, Anduin, and it's probably not as significant or symbolic as the trust of someone who's known you your whole life, but I genuinely wish for your happiness. [A sheepish smile.] Someone should be catching some happiness in this place, it might as well be you.
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He wants to be honest with her.
Anduin turns his hand within hers, moving to grip her fingers back and takes in a deep breath.]
Hermione... Can you -- can you keep a secret? [His lips twitch slightly.] Another one, I suppose. Mine?
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What? No, no, I'm... Not a dragon, no.
[He sobers a little, squeezing her fingers where he still has her hand in his grasp. He takes in a deep breath. It feels strange to admit this out loud -- or to call it a secret for that matter. It really isn't, not at home anyway. Here in this world though he's tried not to share it around, uncertain how it might go over. But he trusts Hermione, and moreover -- it would just be nice to be able to talk to her, to have someone he knows he can trust with all things. All things. And so...]
Where I live... It is called Stormwind City. It is the capital city of the kingdom of Stormwind, and the largest capital city in the Grand Alliance -- that is, one of the two major political factions of Azeroth, the world where I come from. And I...
[Anduin's eyes flick up to meet Hermione's.]
I have the 'honor' to be named High King of Stormwind and the Alliance both.
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Still, he goes somber and she holds her breath on instinct. Here it goes, the big secret. (She's rather good at keeping those, isn't she?)
And the secret is:
Anduin's a king.]
What.
[A king. Sure. One's a dragon and one's a king and why not believe them both? In the end, they each can confirm each other's truths, and it doesn't impact her at all if it were a lie. She could say she's the queen of Slytherin right now and nobody here would understand what that meant. (She won't though. It's not in her nature to lie that hard.)
A king.]
But you're so young.
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When the king passes away, the prince inherits the throne. Whether it is convenient timing or not.
Age does not really factor into succession.
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